Pseudo-GLM Archive Case: 24 May 2008

Today we're working with an archive case from northern Oklahoma on 24 May 2008. The case begins at 1745 UTC on that date, ending at 2015 UTC. Here is a timeline of notes taken in real-time.

Looking backward at 1754, noticed CTC+CI, along with first lightning, simultaneously at 1702.

At this point, we hadn't noticed that GLM was slaved to satellite imagery updates, so GLM may have shown up prior to the CTC/CI.

No MRMS with this case (forecaster inquired about availability).

Might be helpful to have a suggested best practice for combining products in a display at outset of the case (ltng overlay w/satellite, ltng overlay with radar, etc). Careful to not slave GLM to satellite 15 min updates when doing overlay. Load GLM first.

18:16 - 50 dBZ core in cell in NE major county, 29-30kft

18:23 - "Blaine county going up quick" - based on <>

18:25 - CG activity dropped off in northern cell after initial flurry after initiation. IC modulating but holding steadeier than CG.

"Lightning data helpful for nowcasting - can but thunder in short term statements if there are just showers forecast. Don't have to rely on just CG data for thunder."

Blaine probably not going quite as quickly as initially thought.

18:30 - 64 dBZ 16kft in NW Garfield cell.

18:38 - Querying for mesocyclone signatures in radar on Major/Garfield storm. pulled up OK mesonet to look at low level inflow (very backed, just S of E)

18:34 - Blaine elevated core > 50 dBZ

CG data dropout at 18:20, restored by 19:00

Blaine remains of interest at 18:42- most vigorous updraft. Determined from radar. First GLM 18:43.

18:53 - Garfield storm has meso. 1855 - 60 dBZ to 20kft. Lightning picked up on southern storm a bit.

18:57 - storm top divergence on Garfield

19:01 - began to issue severe + tor in ctrl/western Garfield

18:30-18:35 - GLM showed increase right where core went up at same time.

19:05 - issuing svr on Blaine/Kingfisher storm

Screen real-estate an issue. Careful interrogation of radar means limited space for other data (e.g., GLM). Requires conscious context switch to notice any trends in lightning.

19:07 - noted that core growth in blaine was commensurate with jump in lightning activity

SPC mesoanalysis from the archives would be helpful to have on right screen during WES cases. (needs plugin though)

19:13 - "46 dBZ to 52kft on northern storm. huge overhang"

Just after 19Z spike to over 100, pulse to 125 at 1922-24 in northern storm.

19:27 - media report of tornado 2 W Lacey in Kingfisher county (southern storm).

19:39 - tornado lifted

19:45 - another reported tornado NE of Lacey

Lightning rate dropped from 80->40 in the 5 min before 1927 tornado.

19:56 - second tornado lifted

Northern storm noted to have eased off on lightning rate (to <>

20:07 - tornado report in the southern storm